Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes eyed by Real Madrid & Barcelona

According to The Sun (h/t The Express), Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes is being ‘monitored’ by both Real Madrid and Barcelona amidst speculation over a new contract. The Portuguese’s current contract runs until 2025, however, United are keen on offering the midfielder a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2026.

Fernandes made the move from Sporting Lisbon to Old Trafford back in January 2020 for an initial fee of €55million (€80million including add-ons). The 26-year-old has since maintained a place in the starting lineup at the club but could the midfielder now make the move to Spain amidst interest from European heavyweights Real Madrid & Barcelona. If you are one of those punters and want to splash money in a Spinaway Casino, take a punt on Bruno Fernandes moving out of Old Trafford in favour of the Spanish giants.

Bruno Fernandes is one of the most important players at Manchester United

Since making the move to the Theatre of Dreams over a year and a half ago, Fernandes has proven his value to the club, evidenced by 85 appearances in that period. During this time, the Portuguese has also managed to score a ridiculous 44 goals and provide 26 assists. 

To put things into perspective, even though he arrived in the second half of the 2019/20 season, he managed to contribute to 15 Premier League goals, which was equal to 22% of the club’s goals in the league (66) that season. This massively influenced the club’s hopes of finishing in the Top 4 that season.

Last season alone, Fernandes made a massive 58 appearances in all competitions, including featuring in all but one game in the Premier League. In the process, the Portuguese scored 28 goals and provided 17 assists as he led them to a 2nd place finish in the Premier League and a place in the UEFA Europa League final for the second consecutive year. While the Red Devils did end up losing the final, the 26-year-old did his part of converting his spot-kick during the penalty shoot-out. 

That is yet another important ability the midfielder has developed during his time at the Old Trafford outfit. Earlier this year in May, Fernandes knocked in his 13th penalty in the Premier League, a record in the history of the club as well as in the Premier League. Thus, Fernandes has proven that he is a crucial cog in the United machine, courtesy of which the Manchester-based club want to hand him a new deal.

Fernandes could be key to Manchester United winning silverware

The Portuguese has not dropped a level in his performances this season either as he has already racked up 4 goals and 1 assist in 5 games. Moreover, he also played a role in convincing Cristiano Ronaldo to come back to Old Trafford this summer, and the Portuguese duo are sharing quite the connection on the pitch now. 

Even though the 26-year-old signed a five-year contract when he signed for the club in 2020, his incredible performances have already warranted him a contract extension. If the midfielder does sign a new deal, it would put him near the likes of Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, and David de Gea on the wage bill. 

Read More:

• Manchester United are eyeing a deal for RB Leipzig ace Dani Olmo 
• Matthijs de Ligt is on the radar of Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea
• Arsenal linked with Youssef En-Nesyri transfer

At 26, Fernandes is starting to hit his footballing peak, and given his impact so far at the club coupled with the astute additions made to the club this summer, silverware could be around the corner for the Red Devils.